Academy Student Wins $5,000 Grand Prize in Wine Label Art Contest

Academy illustration senior Christian Gordon won the $5,000 grand prize in the 2012 Canvas Artist Series Contest – a collaboration between Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and Canvas Wines. Robert Mondavi Winery develops the wines for Hyatt.

2012 was the first year Academy students participated in this contest.

In addition to Gordon winning the grand prize in the Merlot category, three of his 15 other participating classmates (all illustration majors)were selected among the finalist:
•Derek Rhodes (senior)
•Trudy Sowash (junior)
•Shaina Nordland (senior)

Canvas and Hyatt invite students from accredited U.S. art schools to submit designs for one of three Canvas Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot.

Judges chosen by Hyatt selected three finalists per wine varietal type based on:
•Originality of the artists’ creative interpretation of the characteristics of the wine in which they’ve selected to compete (75%); and
•How well the artists “invoke and inspire the Canvas brand” (25%).

The three Grand Prize winners were selected based on the following criteria:
•Online popular vote (20%);
•Originality of finalists’ artwork and their creative interpretation of the wine variety for which they painted (50%); and
•Originality and appeal of the artists’ essay describing their artwork inspiration and career aspirations (30%).

Gordon and the other two grand-prize winners each received a $5,000 scholarship from Hyatt, and will have their artwork featured on a special bottling of Canvas Wines and on the company’s website.

“I thought our submissions were outstanding,” commented Illustration Chair Rich Kryczka. “I had my entire class participate in the contest. Most of our students submitted work created with paint and colored pencils. Ironically, Christian created his piece digitally, using Photoshop. No question, we’ll be competing next year, too!”